Chile: LAN lounge at SCL airport

Los Angeles: LAX Lounge from OneWorld

very nice ...

Copenhagen Airport

just making a stop to change planes...

Quick notes:

• Wood floor
• Free WiFi internet: After connecting the WiFi, open the browser and look for a form that needs to be filled in order to get free WiFi acess.  After submitting the form, will get 15' of free access. They said they would send an email to confirm the account, and afterwards provide more free access, but I never received this email.  Another option is to pay for access , if a Boingo subscriber , it can be used too.

 

Sweden: Gothenburg

Gothenburg

Hotel Riverton

Very nice window view from hotel room

• ~ 1.5 miles walking distance from the train station (it feeled safe walking at night)
• Very nice hotel. Comfortable room. Friendly and helpful help desk.
• Free Wifi included
• Very nice views from the top floor (go up to the hotel/bar).  Food for dinner was excellent.

Room from Hotel Riverton

Oscar Fredrik Church

Skansen Kronan

Sweden: Stockholm

This trip was pretty short and fast. there wasn't much time for visiting the place, but still, I got to see something.

Sweden is a very nice country, with very nice, organized, and clean cities.

Everybody seems to have a very high level of english speaking.

It is very easy to move around this country.   Credit card is accepted everywhere, one can literally spend a week without the need of cash.   The only place I saw cash could have been handy is at the public restrooms in the train station.

Arlanda Express (train from Airport to Stockholm)

Hotel Comfort Inn , Stockholm

• Tiny 1 bedroom/1 bathroom. No closet. Hangers on wall.
• Bed is comfortable
• Room is quite silent.
• Hotel and neighborhood feel very safe.
• Excellent free breakfast.
• Large HD tv , with a couple of channels in english.
• No closet.
• No safe in room, but available at front desk.
• Free WiFi. Need to ask for a password every day (expires in 24 hours)
• Very good location, 3 blocks away from central station.   A stop to the Arlanda Express is accross the street.
• Across Arlanda Express exit

1 Bedroom from Comfort Inn Stockholm

1 Bedroom from Comfort Inn Stockholm

1 Bedroom from Comfort Inn Stockholm

Gamla Stan (old town)

Gamla Stan

Gamla Stan

Royal Palace

Stockholm Central Station

• Train, Metro, and  bus station
• Train ticket can be purchased online, but access to a printer is needed. They can SMS the ticket information, but this only works for local phone numbers. The Ticket teller machines will ask for a PIN in order to validate a credit card purchase, which afaik, I don't have for my international card.... in order to save time, just go and buy from the ticket office  (I didn't look at what time they closed)
• Lockers are available, and the fee can be paid with credit card or currency.
• Restrooms with showers are available, but SEK cash only.

Locker for bags

Stockholm Arlanda Airport:

• There are many paid Internet Wifi providers such as Boingo, Ipass, Tmobile europe. But there is only one way of getting free Wifi, by having a local phone number (they send a password through SMS). They offer sending the SMS to a foreign phone, but I never got it. Guests at Hotels inside the airport will get free Wifi.
• The airport is safe for overnight sleeping until the international departure gate opens at 4:30am. The Lunges are behind the gate, and therefore, closed.
• This airport seems safe for overnight sleep. Lots of people stay and sleep in comfortable couches.
• For dinner, the option that is open until latest is Mcdonals, open until 11:00pm. And they sell beer :-)
• The restrooms are very clean.

(good place to sleep at Arlanda)

California: South San Francisco

A hidden and interesting spot in South San Francisco city: The Wind Harp

California: Castello di Amorosa Winery in Napa

California: San Francisco

4th of July in San Francisco... a huge amount of people having lots of fun, tons of street shows, and awesome fireworks...

California: Sausalito

Sausalito is a small and beautiful town, where it's usually sunny and warm on days that San Francisco is totally covered by clouds and windy.

Travel Information: Rental Car insurance

Rental Car insurance Information

The information in this post applies to rental car insurances issues in the United States.

Always look at the exclusions section in the policy. Usually, standard policies don't cover cars driven off road, exceeding certain value, trucks and SUV. Even, some policies don't cover cards driven in specific countries or states. Checking all the details it's a boring and time consuming job, but it has to be done. The advertisements look very nice, but there are so many exceptions that can produce a false sense of security.

Car Insurance
Your own car insurance will many extend to car rentals for a specific period of time. Always call them and verify, as there are certainly going to be exclusions. Remember that if you make a rental claim against your car insurance, your policy costs could be increased. Most credit cards offer secondary coverage only, that is, your car insurance pays first and the credit card the rest. But I've found some good coverage at affordable price, read bellow.

• Only the coverage you have on your own insurance will be extended to the rental. For example, if the car insurance only covers liability , then comprehensive and/or collision won't be covered.

Allianz Rental Car Damage Protector
This policy is very affordable and I like the coverage very much. The coverage only covers damage and loss, it does NOT include liability.
Quick Facts:

• $9 per day. 
• Covers vehicles up to $40000, including SUV (which isn't common). There are some exclusions, read the policy. In regards to SUV coverage, I called customer support and the representative told me that the SUV are covered, except when they are used as off road as 4x4 vehicle (they don't cover 4x4 vehicles, and I think that they also don't cover off road driving but I didn't ask this last one).
• This is primary coverage. 
• I've purchased it from American Airlines' website or by phone. The process is pretty quick, about 10 minutes.
• The policy certificate can be downloaded from Allianz web site (I don't know whether this link is going to be valid in the future. But I took it from the same place where I purchased the policy)
• I've seen that other companies offer the same coverage from Allianz. However, when I went to Allianz web site, the coverage offered was for $35000 only.

American Express Premium Card Coverage
This is the best Rental Card policy I've seen so far. Not only due to the superior coverage, but also the affordable cost. The only limitation is that the full cost of the car rental has to be charged to an American Express card.
Quick Facts:

• $24.95 for up to 42 days
• Up to $100,000 of primary coverage for damage or theft of a Rental Car.
• Up to $100,000 of Accidental Death or Dismemberment coverage ($250,000 for California Residents).
• Up to $15,000 for excess medical expenses per person.
• Details in Amex web site.
• On Line enrollment is needed before being able to use this coverage (see above site)

Travelguard Car Rental Collison Coverage
I didn't  look too much at this one as it doesn't seem as good as Allianz or American Express.
Quick Facts:

• $9 per day
• Up to $35,000 in coverage minus a $250 deductible. Sold per vehicle, not per person. This plan covers the cost of repairs for damage to a rental car, up to the limit of coverage, for which the car rental contract holds you responsible.
• It is not clear to me whether a stolen card is covered by this policy. I would confirm by calling them before signing up.
• Also, I haven't checked whether it is primary or secondary insurance.
• SUV not included in the coverage.
• Online purchase form at Travelguard's web site.

Rental Car insurance from credit Cards
Read carefully the policy coverage included by credit cards. Most of them are secondary insurance. It seems that when a car renter doesn't have car  insurance, the credit card would act as primary car insurance, but I haven't confirmed this yet. Also, ready the restrictions carefully. Most credit cards limit the coverage to standard cards costing less than $50000, not including truck, SUV. In general, I read the statement saying that the rental has to be paid fully with the credit card.  It is not clear to me yet, whether a car paid with miles and taxes with credit card, is also covered. Afaik, it wouldn't.

• Visa Signature Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver
  Receive Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver coverage for damage due to collision or theft up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles. Simply complete the entire rental transaction with your eligible Visa Signature card and decline the auto rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) option or similar provision. You will be reimbursed for the repair or replacement oReceive Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver coverage for damage due to collision or theft up to the actual cash value of most rental vehicles. Simply complete the entire rental transaction with your eligible Visa Signature card and decline the auto rental company’s collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) option or similar provision. You will be reimbursed for the repair or replacement of covered losses to your rental vehicle when certain terms and conditions are met.f covered losses to your rental vehicle when certain terms and conditions are met.
• Citibank Citicards Auto Rental Insurance Product List & Disclosures (here is some information I've collected, but always check the details specific to your credit card)
  VISA consumer card: Automatic coverage when you charge the entire cost of your rental from a licensed rental agency with these cards and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance.Visa Auto Rental Insurance coverage is secondary coverage and underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership.
  Mastercard consumer card: Automatic coverage when you reserve and rent a vehicle with this card and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance. Excess Collision Loss/Damage Insurance coverage (of up to $25,000 per occurrence) is secondary coverage and is underwritten by Triton Insurance Company. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership.
  Mastercard business card: Automatic coverage when you reserve and rent a vehicle with these cards and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance. MasterRental Insurance coverage (up to $50,000 per incident) is underwritten by Virginia Surety Company, Inc. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership. Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver - Business Card:  Automatic coverage when you charge the entire cost of your rental from a licensed rental agency with these cards and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance.
  Visa business card: Visa Auto Rental Insurance coverage is primary coverage and underwritten by Indemnity Insurance Company of North America. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership.
  American Express card: Worldwide Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Coverage :  Automatic coverage up to $50,000, when you charge the entire cost of your rental from a licensed rental agency with these cards and decline the car rental company's collision, loss/damage waiver insurance. Worldwide Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Coverage, which provides coverage in excess of other insurance, is underwritten by Federal Insurance Company, a member insurer of the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies. Certain conditions, restrictions and exclusions apply. Not all vehicles and not all countries are covered. Details of coverage will be provided upon cardmembership.

Alaska - Day 4: Anchorage

Today was the last day of this trip. After an excellent night of rest at the Sheraton Anchorage, I started looking for some flight seeing tour departing from Anchorage, after the failed attempt two days ago. There are several plane companies, but three of them seem to be the ones offering standard tours:

• Regal Air
• Rust's Flying Service
• Alaska Air Taxi

I called with very short notice as I needed a tour for the afternoon. Unfortunately, most of them were sold out already. For Rust's, I found a 10% discount coupon on one of those Alaska travel magazines (I don't recall the name) that I picked up from the airport upon  arrival. I didn't find any discount for the other two companies. However, after a few calls, Regal Air was the only one with a tour available. They would take two passengers if each one paid $40 extra per ticket. I think that most of these flight seeing tours have a minimum requirement of 3-4 passengers in order to break even. It's pretty expensive to operate a plane. Several companies are charging 2-5% fuel surcharge. The flight seeing tours aren't cheap, but they seem to be well worth the price.

Regal and Rust's  have seaplanes (did not check others), departing from Lake Hood at the Anchorage International Airport, which is just 15 minutes away from the hotel (about 5 miles). But  before arriving to Lake Hood, the wind started blowing, and they told us that although we could fly safely, it would be very bumpy. Bummer !  They said that  we wouldn't probably enjoy the flight, and offered to call later if the weather improved, which didn't happen.... I'll have to leave this ride for next time.  In this trip, I've been able to confirm how unpredictable Alaska's weather is. 

Ten miles away from Lake Hood seaport, lies the Alaska Native Heritage Center .

Alaska Native Heritage Center

The entrance cost might seem a little bit high, but not bad considering this rich source of information, and that they offer a free shuttle to the hotel. Alaskan natives are available inside the place willing to tell their stories and answer questions.  I recommend visiting this Center, and take the time to visit the reproductions of native Alaskan homes, which are not commonly seen at other places, and in particular, listen and talk to the natives. They told us super interesting stories about their ways of life.

Alaska Native Heritage Center

Alaska Native Heritage Center

Alaska Native Heritage Center

Afterwards, we headed to the Botanical Garden. It is a nice optional place to visit if time is available. It has tons of plants with their corresponding name tags. This visit took about 30 minutes, just a quick walk as there wasn't anything in particular that caught the attention (perhaps because I'm not deep in this topic, or perhaps this isn't the best time of year to visit).

Alaska Botanical Garden

From the garden, we drove to downtown. Close by, there is a small park called Resolution Point. This place has  breath taking view of the mountains. In clear days, Mount McKinley can be seen. Although today wasn't one of those clear days, the view was still great. A life size bronze statue of captain Cook stands in the middle of this view point. After taking several pictures and some fresh air, we headed to downtown for a coffee... what an unsuccessful enterprise. All of them were closed by the time we arrived (probably 8pm).  There were lots of bars and gift shops open, but the mood was for coffee. I would think that hotels were still serving coffee in their lounges, but we didn't try this option and decided to visit once last place before driving back to the airport.

Resolution Park - Anchorage

Captain Cook

Earthquake park is very conveniently located about 15 minutes away from downtown, and 10 minutes away from the airport. The park is small and it only takes 15-30 minutes to visit, take a look at the awesome views, and  read information about the terrible earthquake and tsunami that hit Alaska in 1964. I also recommend this park for a quick relaxing and informational stop.

Earthquake Park Anchorage

The airport wasn't crowded, and going through security was pretty fast. I printed the boarding passes in the machine located at the front of the rental car office (very convenient!). I could get lounge access in this return leg, which is of course a nice way of waiting 4-5 hours before boarding. 

Lounge  in Anchorage - Alaska Airlines

The lounge of Alaska Airlines offers little food (some cheese, vegetables, and chips  & salsa), but they offer very good wine and beer (limited to 3 free glasses).  The bar has 3 or 4 different types of Alaskan beers, all of them outstanding. The lounge includes free WiFi, as I think all of them do. However, it is kind of loud (the door to the hall was open) and it might be difficult to sleep there. Still, I enjoyed staying there for such a long wait.

Anchorage Airport at 11:30pm (notice the daylight)

Alaska - Day 3: Kenai Fjords National Park

In Seward, there are two main companies that give tours on the Kenai Fjords area. I've read only good comments about both of them. So it's matter of reading what they offer and picking based on individual tastes.

Kenai Fjords tours

I decided to use Kenai Fjords Tours, and the experience was excellent. 

Kenai Fjords Tours

It's very recommended to take the longer tours, that go deep into the park. The shorter , 4 hours, tours just stay on Resurrection Bay.  The 7 to 10 hour tours are very well worth the time and money spent. The captain was very knowledgeable, telling about the sealife and animals all the way back and forth, and adding a lot of very good humor to the story.  Also, he gets very close to sea animals, and to interesting places.

Resurrection Bay - Bald Eagle

Kenai Fjords - Wale

Kenai Fjords - Puffin

Kenai Fjords - Sea Otter

Kenai Fjords - Mountain Goat

Kenai Fjords - Seals

Kenai Fjords - Bear

Kenai Fjords

Kenai Fjords - Puffins

Kenai Fjords

The ship stopped very close to the glacier, less than 1/2 mile away, giving a very nice opportunity for taking pictures and enjoying the view. Also, at this point, the wind stops and it doesn't fill so cold.

Kenai Fjords - Glacier

In order to enjoy the tour as much as possible, be ready for cold weather. Dress in layers, and take winter clothing and gloves. The weather at Seward port and Resurrection Bay is milder than closer to the glaciers, where it gets quite cold with frozen wind. Free coffee is available inside the ship, it's  a nice resource.

One of the tours includes a 1 hour stop at Fox Island for a great dinner of Ribs and Salmon... all you can eat!